Summary
Each Espada in Bleach represents an aspect of death, influencing their powers and personality. The Espada's theme is tied to their rank – Nel, once a Tres Espada, has the sacrificial aspect. These thematic aspects of death help explain the Espada's powers; Ulquiorra's “Nothingness” reflects his nihilism.
Bleach is famous for its richness of characters, but what's sometimes less obvious is that these characters, especially those introduced at the same time, can share a common theme. For the Espada of the Hueco Mundo arc and the Arrancar of Bleach, there just so happens to be such a theme, and that theme is death.
The Espada are the highest-ranked Arrancar, humanoid Hollows with Soul Reaper-like abilities numbered from 0 to 9 and counted among them as some of the most popular characters in the entirety of Bleach. As a group of characters that were all inevitably created at the same time, there is actually a theme that helps define these characters together. As spiritual entities that may or may not have once been human, the Espada are all themed around 10 “causes of death” that relate to their personality traits and abilities.
These aspects of death are fleshed out in the story, but since it's only mentioned superficially once in chapter 356, fans can be forgiven for being unfamiliar with the subject.
Espada represents the 10 faces of death
Bleach's Espada all have themes about aspects of death.
As illustrated in the manga panels above, each Espada has an aspect associated with them that helps explain their powers and personalities. For example, Ulquiorra is said to be the Espada of “Void,” which fits well with his nihilistic worldview and powers focused on darkness. Baraggan, the former king of Hueco Mundo, is the Espada of “aging,” or aging, and his power allows him to attack his opponents, causing them to age unnaturally.
Espada
Perspective of death
Coyote Starrk
Loneliness
Baraggan Louisenbairn
Aging
Bậc Harribel
Sacrifice
Ulquiorra Coffee Tree
Nothingness
Nnoitra Gilga
Hopeless
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
Destruction
Zommari Rural
Happiness
Szayelaporro Granz
Madness
Aaroniero Arruerie
Greed
Yammy Llargo
Rage
Knowing these aspects of death certainly helps to understand some of these characters. Szayelaporro, for example, is a typical mad scientist, which makes his aspect particularly fitting. Nnoitra’s ferocious and violent nature is designed around driving his opponents to utter despair by destroying them as thoroughly as possible. Yammy’s rage causes him to visibly grow in size, and his Resurreccion, Ira, is named directly after the Spanish word for anger. Grimmjow, for his part, seeks only to fight and destroy, and consistently charges at the toughest of opponents.
While the Espada are not the only species to have themes surrounding them, their themes are perhaps the most deeply rooted in their characters and abilities. According to Bleach author Tite Kubo, the aspect of death each Espada represents is also tied to their rank among the Espada; for example, when Nel is a Tres Espada, her aspect is sacrifice, just like Tier Harribel. This suggests that the Espada were chosen for their characteristics to take on these roles, not the other way around.
The aspects of death that each Espada represents are not only an integral part of their powers, but also their nature as characters, and for some, like Ulquiorra, overcoming that aspect becomes an important part of their lives. Bleach character arc